Quetta: Food Authority Seals Bakery Unit, Fines Multiple Outlets Across Balochistan

QUETTA: The Balochistan Food Authority continues its uninterrupted operations across the province to ensure the supply of quality, safe and unadulterated food items to the public.

In various districts, food safety teams inspected bakery units, bakeries, pizza outlets, grocery stores, wholesalers and other food premises, and took action against several violations.

A spokesperson for the BFA said that, acting swiftly on a complaint received from citizens, authorities sealed a bakery unit on Mikangi Road in Quetta.

Violations found during inspections

Inspections revealed several serious violations, including extremely poor hygiene, improper storage, failure to print production and expiry dates on products, and inadequate measures to prevent insects.

Action was taken against pizza outlets, bakery units and bakeries on Samangli Road and Spini Road, and their owners were fined. The premises were found to have poor cleanliness, workers not following basic personal hygiene practices, rusted refrigerators, open garbage bins, use of harmful cooking oil, and inadequate arrangements for food preparation and storage.

Separately, milk quality was specially tested in New Abadi and Jail Road in Zhob. Samples taken from 30 Malik Shops were tested on the spot, and one shop was fined after water adulteration in milk was proven. Another shop was also action-tested for selling expired juices and cold drinks and for poor cleanliness.

Furthermore, action was taken in Sahibatpur against bakeries, confectionery wholesalers and grocery stores operating without a food business licence. During inspections, expired chips, biscuits and namkeen were found, along with inadequate measures to keep flies away from sweets. The owners concerned were fined for poor personal hygiene among workers and for failing to print production and expiry dates on products.

Directions and resolve for strict action

Food business operators were given licence forms and directed to fulfil all legal requirements.

A spokesperson for the Balochistan Food Authority said there would be no compromise on food quality, hygiene, prevention of adulteration, sale of expired goods or compliance with food business licensing.

The spokesperson added that prompt action on public complaints and impartial legal measures against those who violate the rules will continue.